How to Avoid Getting Sick This Winter

Keep your hands squeaky clean.

We say it time and time again, but just because we love you, we’ll remind you—wash those hands! The flu virus can live on surfaces like tables and keyboards for two to eight hours. Between grimy countertops, spotty doorknobs and sweaty machines at the gym, there is really no better defense against germs than washing your hands with antibacterial soap or disinfecting them with sanitizer. Both are equally effective, says Robert Truax, D.O., a family physician at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio.

Stay hydrated.

“Our body is made up of mostly water, and when we’re dehydrated, it’s just an extra stress on our system,” says Truax. Dryness—think a Rudolph-red nose or a scratchy throat—decreases your immunity barriers and opens the door to infection. Drinking plenty of water is crucial to staying healthy.

Get a good night’s sleep.

Washing your hands, staying hydrated and eating well can all go to waste if you’re not getting enough shut-eye. “Our immune system is very, very good at fighting things off, but we do things to harm it,” says Robert Lamberts, M.D., a primary-care physician and health blogger at distractible.org. “When people don’t get the sleep that they need, their body can’t restore itself.”

According to Truax, snoozing for a minimum seven to eight hours a night can give your body the downtime it needs to fight off infection.

Remember that supplements aren’t replacements.

Our physicians agree, even a large vitamin C tablet can’t guarantee that you’re better protected against every nasty bug that floats around. “It’s far better to eat a balanced diet with a lot of fruits and vegetables,” says Lamberts. “You want your body to be in its maximum condition to fight off illness.”

And don’t be fooled by products that claim to support a healthy immune system either. “Their choice of words just means it won’t make you unhealthy,” says Lamberts. “Can they say it builds a healthy immune system? No. They haven’t proven it.”

Don’t lower your defenses, even at home.

Unfortunately, spending time with friends and loved ones could be just as dangerous, in terms of getting sick, as hitting the mall. When hugs, handshakes and finger foods abound, you’re more likely to lower your germ-fighting shields. For example: “When I’m at the office, I’m washing my hands on a regular basis with every exam room,” says Lamberts. “Family events are where you’re at the highest risk—places you’d naturally be the most comfortable.” So keep up that hand-washing before you snack on a mini quiche.

Call your doctor before heading to her office.

It seems counterintuitive, but a bustling waiting room could be enough to push a healthy person over the edge. Maier advises people to call their doctor first and discuss their symptoms and treatment options just as you would during an appointment. Then decide with your doctor whether it’s a good idea to come in.

“If you feel like you’re coming down with the flu, call your doctor early,” says Maier. “We know that some medicines are most helpful within the first 48 hours, so you really want to talk to your doctor as soon as you feel ill to get an idea of whether or not the medications will be helpful or if you just need to stay home and take care of yourself.”